Embryonal carcinomas in Syrian hamsters after intratesticular inoculation of zinc chloride during seasonal testicular growth.

Zinc chloride solution injected into the testes of 49 Syrian hamsters during the early spring months resulted in two embryonal carcinomas of the testis found at necropsy 10 weeks later. The zinc chloride injections were made during the period of rapid seasonal gonadal growth when spermatogonial division is activated and resulted in areas of coagulative necrosis occupying about 25% of each testis. The tumor arose adjacent to the areas of necrosis.